Papal message for Italy's Sacred Heart Catholic University
(April 21.2012) Pope Benedict sent a message on the occasion of the 88th
Day for the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Rome. This year’s celebration,
under the theme “The future of this country is in the heart of the youth”, will be
marked by the Beatification of Giuseppe Toniolo on 29th April next. This
Venetian Economist was in the forefront in inserting Catholics into the political,
social and cultural life of Italy. It was Toniolo who entrusted to Father Agostino
Gemelli the task of founding the catholic university in Italy. The message signed
by Vatican Cardinal Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone was addressed to Cardinal
Angelo Scola President of the Toniolo Institute for Higher Studies. The papal message
cites the words of the Vatican II pastoral document document on the church designated
by its opening latin words “Gaudium et Spes”: Joy and Hope, that “we can boldly place
the future of humanity in the hands of those who are able to transmit to future generations
reasons for life and hope. It is faith based on the Risen Christ who walks alongside
us as he did with the disciples on their way to Emmaus that first Easter Day. Catholic
students must be educated to cultivate science with wisdom, giving the primacy to
the human person and to the dimensions of spirituality.